A Quilty Birthday

My birthday was on Thursday (and the only good thing about turning 61 is that I'm now less than a year away from collecting social security! LOL). It was truly a great birthday though, because a friend had a mini-retreat at her house for two days (not overnight). I bought the fabrics for a couple of quilts last month and cut them out ahead of time. This is the first one and I finished piecing the top today -- still need to add two borders. This is a pattern from Kansas Troubles Quilters newsletter called Five and Dime. It was made with a Layer Cake and a Charm packet of KT fabrics. The squares in the centers are raw edge. Fun quilt to play with. The bright blues in the picture are not true to color -- in fact, most of the colors are a bit darker. We had so much fun sewing all day Thursday and Friday that we're going to do it again next Thursday -- but only one day. And Bill of course took me out for dinner Thursday night!

This piece is a panel that Kris, the hostess with the mostest gave me as a challenge. I have 3 fabrics that will go with the 3 colors and I think I'll cut the bottom flag out and border with 3 borders. Kind of boring, so haven't decided for sure. Don't have a clue what to do with the top flag yet either.
Today I worked on the guild's newsletter and then got to play with the Five and Dime quilt. I hope to get the borders on it this week - maybe even tomorrow afternoon. I'd like to get one of the flag quilts finished this week too. I like to decorate with patriotic quilts, which I have already hung all through the house, but I really need a new one and would like to finish it before the 4th.

Gratitudes:
The humidity and heat have subsided for a bit, so off with the a/c and on with the open windows.
Our phoebes had 4 babies and they flew the nest this afternoon (I missed it -- one minute they were all hanging out and when I looked while doing dishes they had already gone).
Sewing with friends.